I thought this would be a great video to share. This was a final assignment in my first semester of my masters programs. The professor gave us free roam to create a video on whatever we wanted - the only request was that we learned how to use video technology so we could utilize it in our future classrooms.
Some of my fellow students choose to do family videos, travel photos, or an autobiography. I choose to create mine on being a teacher and how a simple smile can change the environment of your classrooms.
How do I plan to use this in my own classroom?
This would be a great way to introduce a unit. For example, if you are starting a unit on monkeys you could create a video on monkeys with pictures, clips and fun music. This can get students excited about the unit and help them jog their memory on what they already know about monkeys, which comes in handy with the KWL.
February 22, 2011
Double Entry Journals
As an assignment for my future classes I would like to utilize a Double Entry Journal. This is required for every homework article in one of my classes this semester and I really like the assignment but also how the end product is used in class time as well.
I see this type of assignment being used in grades 4 and up. It can be modified for younger/older grades. The best types of articles could be a text book chapter, a current event, etc...
When assigning an article for students to read, instruct them to pick three quotes that they like, disagree with, or just have something to share about the particular quote. Then have them write the quotes on the left side of the paper and the reflection on the right, corresponding to the quote.
For younger grades the paper can be a loose leaf sheet that is folded hot dog style and then tri-folded, hamburger style. For the older grades you can asked them to type the quotes and reflections into a table, see my example below.
Having them choose and write three quotes and reflections gives the students a great jumping off point to start conversations in class. When discussing the article in class separate students into groups. In these groups students will share at least one of their quotes and have a discussion with their surrounding classmates. This gives students an advantage because they have their thoughts already on paper and also helps students voice and defend their opinions in a safe space.
I see this type of assignment being used in grades 4 and up. It can be modified for younger/older grades. The best types of articles could be a text book chapter, a current event, etc...
When assigning an article for students to read, instruct them to pick three quotes that they like, disagree with, or just have something to share about the particular quote. Then have them write the quotes on the left side of the paper and the reflection on the right, corresponding to the quote.
For younger grades the paper can be a loose leaf sheet that is folded hot dog style and then tri-folded, hamburger style. For the older grades you can asked them to type the quotes and reflections into a table, see my example below.
Having them choose and write three quotes and reflections gives the students a great jumping off point to start conversations in class. When discussing the article in class separate students into groups. In these groups students will share at least one of their quotes and have a discussion with their surrounding classmates. This gives students an advantage because they have their thoughts already on paper and also helps students voice and defend their opinions in a safe space.
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| Double Entry Journal - Note: Quotes on left & Reflections on right |
February 17, 2011
Teaching Math: Concept Assessment Activities
The Methods of Math & Science class that I am currently enrolled in, asked for a research paper on the current methods of teaching math or science. I chose an article called "Active Assessment" by Stuart Naylor and Brenda Keogh (Mathematics Teaching 215, pgs. 35-37). In this research I found a really useful idea of having an activity that introduces concepts, like fractions, in a way that engages students in discussion.
The two activities I would like to use in my future classrooms are Concept Cartoons and Card Sorts. Concept Cartoons are cartoons with multiple characters in them. The teacher splits the students into groups (of about three or four) and passes out the cartoon. Students read it over and decide which character they agree with, or create their own comments. As the student talks with their group, they are forced to explain why they believe with a particular character. This discussion makes them publicly take ownership of their beliefs and education. It also allows for the teacher to walk around to each group and informally assess where the students knowledge is.
The effect is the same with Card Sorts. This activity is composed of placing multiple true or false statements on individual index cards. Again, with students in groups, have them sort through the cards to decide which statements they agree with and which they do not agree with. The groups are bound to have disagreements, which forces students to explain to the others why they agree (or disagree) with the statement on the card. Through this discussion children are verbalizing the concepts which helps them see why they are right, or wrong.
Both of these activities create curiosity in the students - they will want to know whether they were right or wrong in their beliefs and gain the knowledge that you as a teacher are about to give them. Also, teachers can hear how much students already know. It would be a great addition to the KWL activity - what students already KNOW, what they WANT to know and what they LEARNED.
The two activities I would like to use in my future classrooms are Concept Cartoons and Card Sorts. Concept Cartoons are cartoons with multiple characters in them. The teacher splits the students into groups (of about three or four) and passes out the cartoon. Students read it over and decide which character they agree with, or create their own comments. As the student talks with their group, they are forced to explain why they believe with a particular character. This discussion makes them publicly take ownership of their beliefs and education. It also allows for the teacher to walk around to each group and informally assess where the students knowledge is.
The effect is the same with Card Sorts. This activity is composed of placing multiple true or false statements on individual index cards. Again, with students in groups, have them sort through the cards to decide which statements they agree with and which they do not agree with. The groups are bound to have disagreements, which forces students to explain to the others why they agree (or disagree) with the statement on the card. Through this discussion children are verbalizing the concepts which helps them see why they are right, or wrong.
Both of these activities create curiosity in the students - they will want to know whether they were right or wrong in their beliefs and gain the knowledge that you as a teacher are about to give them. Also, teachers can hear how much students already know. It would be a great addition to the KWL activity - what students already KNOW, what they WANT to know and what they LEARNED.
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| Left: Examples of Card Sorts ... Right: Example of a Concept Cartoon |
Welcome: My Journey
The idea of creating a blog came to me while taking a long drive. I want to share my ideas about teaching, education, lessons and everything else!
Through my journey of teacher-education classes, I have found that there is a vast amount of information given all the time - you never know when a great lesson plan or new strategy will pop into your head! And what better way to share and organize those thoughts to share with others?
I look forward to sharing my thoughts. I am going to try to keep my posts consistent, but no promises. After-all the thoughts I want to share are the random ones that I would like to keep organized.
Enjoy!
Through my journey of teacher-education classes, I have found that there is a vast amount of information given all the time - you never know when a great lesson plan or new strategy will pop into your head! And what better way to share and organize those thoughts to share with others?
I look forward to sharing my thoughts. I am going to try to keep my posts consistent, but no promises. After-all the thoughts I want to share are the random ones that I would like to keep organized.
Enjoy!
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